Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-03-23

The Story Behind this Blog

Being from the South, Silver is a very big part of my life. It doesn't have anything to do with wealth. Although those with more money - old money, tend to have more of it. New money tend not to spend their money on Silver. They do not have the appreciation for the warmth of the metal, the beauty of the patina, the story it tells of the generations past who have used it. A true southern girl comes of age when she chooses her silver pattern, long before she chooses her mate. If she is smart, she chooses that of her mother, grandmother, or favorite great aunt who in their benevolence will pass their silver on to her. It is the pieces in those sets, the pieces on our tables, along with the pieces we find in the corners of the displays in antique stores that prompted me to start this blog. They are beautiful, they are odd, but what are they, and what in the hell do you do with them?

Friday, March 28, 2014

Chippendale by Gorham

Gorham introduced Chippendale in 1890. The pattern has a beaded edge that runs from the shoulder of each piece up the stem around the terminal and back down the stem. There is a fan motif on the end of the terminal with lines resembling stems rising from the bottom of the stem of the piece and fanning out at the bottom of the terminal. The fancy work on the serving pieces is what looks like drapes of laurel and ferns. Overall, it is a very unique pattern.

Ice Cream Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Fish Serving Knife (Lg) (11 1/2 inches)

Large Solid Fish Serving Knife

Large Fish Serving Fork (8 1/4 inches)
Large Solid Fish Serving Fork

Master Butter Knife ( 6 7/8 inches)
Flat Handle Bright Cut Master Butter

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Southern Rose by Manchester

Another repousse pattern with a rose design is Southern Rose by Manchester introduced in 1933.. The rose blossoms and leaves look very similar to other repousse patterns. However, if you look closely, you can see subtle differences in each. All are lovely designs.

Seafood Fork (5 1/2 inches)
Cocktail/seafood Fork

Pierced Cheese Server (5 1/4 inches)
Solid Pierced Cheese Server

Baby Knife (5 1/4 inches)
Baby Knife With Silverplate Blade

Fruit Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Monday, March 24, 2014

Marsailles by Alvin

Marsailles was introduced by Alvin in 1890. It is very similar to their Lorraine pattern in design.

Berry Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

Large Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Small Cold meat Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)

Mayonnaise Ladle (5 1/8 inches)

Mayonnaise Ladle